If you’re wondering about Carlos Boozer, you’re worrying about the wrong guy. Paul Millsap can replicate much of what Boozer provides — it’s Andrei Kirilenko’s absence that sent Utah sideways over the final three weeks.

The Jazz had the best Power Ranking of any team in the West prior to his calf strain and had won 20 of 24 games in which Kirilenko had played at least 25 minutes. But with him gone, the Jazz went only 11-7 down the stretch and missed out on a division title that the Nuggets had basically laid at Utah’s feet.
Obviously, Boozer’s availability is a factor, too, especially since Mehmet Okur’s Achilles is still bothering him. Nonetheless, I suspect Kirilenko’s health will be the deciding factor for Utah’s playoff hopes.